Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
CHRIST'S HIGH PRIESTHOOD AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC SUPERIOR TO AARON'S. (Heb. 7:1-28)
this Melchisedec— (Hebrews 6:20; Psalms 110:4). The verb does not come till Hebrews 7:3, "abideth."
king . . . priest—Christ unites these offices in their highest sense, and so restores the patriarchal union of these offices.
Salem—Jerusalem, that is, seeing peace; others make Salem distinct, and to be that mentioned (Genesis 33:18; John 3:23).
the most high God—called also "Possessor of heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:22). This title of God, "the Most High," handed down by tradition from the primitive revelation, appears in the Phœnician god "Elion," that is, Most High. It is used to imply that the God whom Melchisedec served is THE TRUE GOD, and not one of the gods of the nations around. So it is used in the only other cases in which it is found in the New Testament, namely in the address of the demoniac, and the divining damsel constrained to confess that her own gods were false, and God the only true God.
who met Abraham—in company with the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:17-18).
slaughter—perhaps defeat, as ALFORD translates. So Genesis 14:17 (compare Genesis 14:15) may be translated. Arioch, king of Ellasar, lived and reigned after the disaster [BENGEL]. However, if Chedorlaomer and Amraphel and Tidal were slain, though Arioch survived, "slaughter of the kings" would be correct.
blessed him—As priest he first blessed Abraham on God's part; next he blessed God on Abraham's part: a reciprocal blessing. Not a mere wish, but an authoritative and efficacious intercession as a priest. The Most High God's prerogative as "Possessor of heaven and earth," is made over to Abraham; and Abraham's glory, from his victory over the foe, is made over to God. A blessed exchange for Abraham (Genesis 14:19-20).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Hebrews 7:1:
Genesis 14:18
Hebrews 7:2
Hebrews 10:19
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